Strumming Poetic Melodies

By Margaret R. Stephens

In this book, she has written about her faith in God, people, places, events, and things; including words to motivate others through expressions of hope and courage that reflect battles, people have fought.

"Margaret Stephen's first book of poetry, "Strumming Poetic Melodies," is a winner. This collection of her poetry reveals her passion for life. Stephen's book of poetry is about faith, people, places, and events. The poems are beautifully written and inspiring. I thoroughly enjoyed her poems and prologues under the chapters, "A Lifetime Capsule and Love Epithets." I'm looking forward to her next book." ~ Farrell J. Chiles, Author

"A soulful vision of life by a woman who has been a participant in its varied facets through her vision based on being raised in the love of family and her faith in God." ~ Debra Rothman, Curriculum, and Instructional Specialist

"You are a very good poet. Keep on writing. God has really blessed you." ~ Michael Jackson, District Attorney, Alabama, 4th Judicial Circuit

Hopefully, this book will inspire young people to find their gifts; remind women of their beauty and value, and inspire men to maintain their strength and embrace their emotional vitality. Sanguinely, you too as a reader will be able to identify with a poem that will encourage you to find some laughter, learn something new, communicate better, or learn to love yourself; and treat others better on this journey called life! The end of this book leaves you with "Margaret's Quotes of Wisdom," numerous notes to keep in your purse or your pocket, more valuable than gold!

Poetry can inspire us to dream, reminisce, and observe; as well as serve as medicine to heal our emotions and boost our memory.

Go ahead - grab a cup of coffee or libations, allow your mind to sharpen, and relax... allowing words and thoughts to awaken your God-given talents to embrace the dawning of a new day!

 

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Jun 6, 2023
• ISBN: 9798823007610

Margaret R. Stephens

Margaret Stephens (nickname Sunshine) is a poet, writer, and author of her first book, “Strumming Poetic Melodies.” Margaret has spent her entire life since childhood composing poetry; she has written poetry for all types of occasions and various events, including weddings, anniversaries, obituaries, birthdays, graduations, and award celebrations. Margaret has also served as a keynote speaker for National Women’s History Programs, Black History Month Programs, and other celebratory events. Margaret has also authored poems and many soul-searching articles for The Eagle-Record, Dorchester County Seat Newspaper, St. George, South Carolina.

Book preview

Strumming

POETIC MELODIES

MARGARET R. STEPHENS

© 2023 Margaret R. Stephens. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

AuthorHouse™

1663 Liberty Drive

Bloomington, IN 47403

www.authorhouse.com

Phone: [phone]

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed

since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do

not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are models,

and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

Scripture quotations marked KJV are from the Holy Bible, King James Version (Authorized Version). First published

in 1611. Quoted from the KJV Classic Reference Bible, Copyright © 1983 by The Zondervan Corporation.

Unless otherwise indicated, all scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®).

Copyright ©2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked NKJV are taken from the New King James Version. Copyright

© 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked NIV are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®. NIV®. Copyright ©

1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved. [Biblica]

www.insertwebsite.com

ISBN: 979-8-8230-0762-7 (sc)

ISBN: 979-8-8230-0761-0 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2023908161

Published by AuthorHouse 06/06/2023

22556.png

Strumming Poetic Melodies is a work of literary fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are used in this book of poetry. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information, storage, and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher or author.

If you purchase this book without a cover, you should be aware that it may have been stolen property and reported as unsold and destroyed and neither the author nor the publisher may have received payment for it.

Contents

Dedication

Preface

Acknowledgments

Ropey Rhythm

1.   Faith and God

Allen Junior, a Steward for God

Faith Is My Belief

Terry, a Preacher Cop

A Prayer Can Save Your Life

Keep on Living, Play a Tune

I Saw God’s Angelic Oak Tree

A Walk in the Garden

Jesus Is the Reason

The Forbidden Fruit

Learn How to Pray

Teenage Wisdom Proverbs

Strapping on Your Spiritual Armor of God

The Lord’s Supper: A Meal with Meaning

Those Footprints in the Sand

Civil Servant Angels beyond the Wall

The Twelve Disciples and the Betrayers

2.   Life: A Time Capsule for Learning

I Believe I Can Fly

Ocean Vibrations

A Man’s Best Friend

Project Deep

Life Is for Living

Give Me My Flowers Now

A Metamorphosis Process of Life

Signs of the Time Rhymes

Drugs, Wrecking Lives

The Caregiver Role: Unconditional Love

Time Waits on No One

My Gifts from the Sea

Your Life in the Mirror

Shooting for Success: Aim High

Rearview Mirrored Self

Color Me Gray

Life-Winning Battles

Happiness Is Freedom

Rain Forest of Life

Leadership for Life

Truth or Consequences

Tribute to a Trailblazer

True Friendship in Life

Those White Coats: Life Epithets

3.   Love Epithets

What Is Love?

Memories from the Window

He May Be the One

Relationships

Quiet Moments of the San Francisco Bay

Can a Caged Bird Be Guilted Free?

Woman’s Qualities of Love

Love Is

Alone with Self

The Naked Trees with Character

Fatal Attraction

Feeling Blue in Romance

Love Is Like a Flower

Occasionally Rainbows

How to Keep a Man Happy

Loving You at a Distance

Just to Say I Love You

Rhythm and Rhymes of How Do I Love Her?

Love at Shenandoah Valley

Two People

Nellie and Galahad’s Tower

The Abusive Undertow

Written Institutions That Scar

Love

Love on a One-Way Social Street

Celebrate Your Date

How to Keep a Woman Happy

More Fish in the Sea

Love Separates

Uncle Sam: A Patriotic Man

The Codependency of Breaking Free

Once in a While

What Does Love Feel Like?

Feelings

The Pencil Sharpener

4.   The Marriage Contract

Keeping Love United in Marriage

A Marriage Celebration

The Wedding Vows Script

Our Marriage, Our Rings of Commitment

Thoughts for a Successful Marriage

Questions for a Successful Relationship

The Greatest Joy, My Husband

5.   Family Attributes

A Mother’s Love

Happy Mother’s Day

A Peach, a Virtuous Woman

A Father’s Walk

A Good Man

Happy Father’s Day

Loving You

The Warrior Crane Queen

A Sister’s Love

My Protector, Brother

The Children, Feed Them Wisdom

Twins Touched by Angels

Baker’s Growing Levels

Teach the Children

Who Is Dorothy?

A Big Sister

The Christening Prayer

Family Reunion Song: Our Roots of Love, Faith, and Hope

Reuniting the Past and Shaping the Future

6.   Birthday Celebrations

Lady with a Touch of Class

A Woman of Courage

A Niece and Nephew Birthday

Happy Birthday to My BFF

Happy Birthday, Little Girls

Happy Birthday to My Daughter

Happy Birthday to My Son

Happy Birthday to My Wife

Happy Birthday to My Husband

7.   Famous People Who Dare

Jesus Christ: A Spiritual Leader

Nelson Mandela, His Excellency

Martin L. King Jr.: The Mountaintop

Rosa Parks: A Lady in Need of a Seat

Metamorphosis: Oprah, a Beautiful Monarch Butterfly

Michael Jackson: A Musical Iconic Dancer

Cicely Tyson: A Woman of Class

Dorothy Heights: The Courageous Hat Lady

Barack Obama: Superman 44 in Flight

Write Women Back into History

Sojourner Truth and Harriet Tubman: Abolitionists

Tyler Perry: A Master Talent and Teacher

Talented Generations of Women Moving History Forward

Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson: The Missing Link

8.   Historic Places and Events

Pearl Harbor, Bombed While Sleeping

Vietnam: Bloody War, Lives Lost

Black Lives Matter

Brown vs. Board of Education

Memories: The 9/11 Aftermath

Trailblazers: Civil Rights and Instrumental Leaders

The Auction Block

Emancipation Proclamation

Heatwave of Watts

The Black Fourth of July

The Façade Trial of 1994

The Eclipse in Maryland, 2017

The Tulsa, Oklahoma, Massacre: The Town

The Me Too Fear Voice in the Crowd

The Tennessee Gaylord’s Rain Forest

Homelessness in America

The Great Seal of Maryland, Sine Die

The S Tuskegee Study

The Pyramids

Cotton Fields on the Backs of Slaves

Red Tails: The Tuskegee Airmen

The Eiffel Tower

Katrina Went Underwater: The Aftermath

Margaret’s Quotes of Wisdom

Articulate Lady

About the Author

Dedication

001_a_aaa.jpg

This book is dedicated in memory of my parents, Dorothy Mae Luvenia, and Allen Junior Stephens. My parents were my role models. My parents were authentic, nurturing, wise, prayerful, and loving human beings. They practiced love for family and demonstrated agape love to others as well. They exhibited the epitome of love. They gave me a road map on how to live, love, and most of all, treat others with kindness. My parents taught me the importance of prayer and how to place my faith in God at an early age.

There is no way I can acknowledge or describe the impact and the influence of my parents and their roles in shaping my life or my dexterous writing skills in composing my first book, Poetic. I began writing poetry during my childhood and continued to compose into adulthood. I would write rhymed verses on small pieces of paper or in a notebook. My parents have been my constant motivation and inspiration to reach my highest potential in writing my first composition.

My mother, Dorothy, was a nurse and a loving communicator, always showing compassion, concern, and empathy for others in her daily walk. My mother’s nickname was Peach. I am told when she was born, she was as pretty as a peach. As I became an adult and moved away, whenever I came to visit my parents, inevitably someone in the town would ask, Are you Peach’s daughter? and then share how her nursing skills were phenomenal. It always made me proud, and I always smiled.

Mom was a devout Christian who taught Sunday school and served on several auxiliary committees in the church. She also sang as a faithful leader in the gospel choir. She possessed the most beautiful voice and sang acappella. She had a voice that moved with the power of a storm and soothed like the tenderness of the rain. When she held those long notes it would capture anyone’s heart! She was always cheerful, loved to laugh, and was always full of encouragement on any given day. My mother encouraged success on every level in her children. She taught her children to become responsible adults, always promoting education as key.

As a devout prayer warrior, my mother always encouraged prayer and prayed for family and everyone. She taught me how to pray. She enjoyed praying for others. She always took time to pray for young married couples. I will never forget the memorable moment when a young man in the church approached me and said, You know, your mom prayed for me, which helped save my marriage.

My mother was a giver; with her warmth, kindness of heart, and character, she sought every opportunity to help others. She occasionally hosted garage sales. She didn’t make any money from the sale because she gave practically everything away. If someone were visiting from out of town, she never let them leave without a jar of canned fresh vegetables made from what she had grown in her garden. Mother had a small candy store and gave away more than she sold.

She also believed in equity in raising her children. For example, if she gave one of her children a blender or mixer for Christmas, they all were sure to receive one! She was fair and treated all her children and grandchildren the same way, with love and affection.

My mother was also a great cook. On any morning when her children would visit for the holidays, we would call her from the freeway and could almost smell the fried fish and grits waiting to be served on a hot plate of food. She would say, The food is ready and hot, so be on time. I learned how to cook and bake from being in the kitchen with my mother. I watched, participated, and understood. I miss her cooking. She could indeed bake the best jelly cake on our side of town! Folks often visited on Sundays, seeking a slice of her delicious jelly cake.

My father, Allen Junior, was a tireless worker in providing for his family. He worked several jobs, including landscaping, and could grow the most beautiful green lawn you have ever seen! My father served diligently and faithfully as a deacon and on the trustee board in the church. He was very thorough with the church’s finances and ensured every cent was accounted for. He also sang with the men’s choir. He believed in exemplifying stewardship in the church. When tasked by the pastor to paint the church, I recall my father refusing payment for his work. He shared, For God’s work, there is no charge to the church.

My father taught his children to be responsible and see value in everything. He had a kind heart and believed in helping his fellow human beings. He taught his children to be strong and determined in meeting their goals. He believed in brotherhood and honesty. If someone was seeking his advice, my father would say, Integrity in life is especially important. He was also good with math and helped students in our community with their math homework. He had incredible stability for authentic manhood and family values, and his appreciation was demonstrated through stewardship with the church.

My father often shared witty thoughts on manners and financial wisdom. A couple of his favorite quotes were: (1) Learn to save a dollar for a rainy day, and (2) Manners will carry you where money may not. He believed you should respect each human being to show them they have value. And he taught his children to learn from life’s lessons. A dear church member once shared about my father, He earned his heavenly crown before he passed.

My parents’ teamwork in marriage as a couple was evident. I saw the sacrifices they made for the family. I thank my mother for being a woman of character and principles. She wore her love, warmth, wisdom, and kindness of heart with pride and dignity. She possessed a remarkable spirit of survival and the capacity to give generously to others in even the most difficult of personal circumstances. I thank my father for his quiet strength, and character-building personality. They were not perfect, yet they showed us strength, courage, character, discipline, determination, and respect. My parents taught their children how to pray together as a family. They were great providers and knew how to treat their children equally. We weren’t rich financially, but we were rich in love. And our parents showed us how to be caring, responsive, and responsible adults. If we, their children, didn’t get it right, it was our fault because our parents lived the example!

I am reminded of Proverbs 22:6 (KJV): Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it. My parents taught me morally strong values about life. They encouraged the importance of education, its value, how to practice strong and positive work ethics, and never to let anything or anyone stand in my way of accomplishing my dreams. I am so thankful that they prepared me mentally and emotionally for the challenges, trials, and tribulations of adulthood. I am grateful to them for teaching me how to develop a strong belief in God. That faith has been a formidable force in my life and has kept me spiritually grounded on life’s roller coaster of hills and valleys. They pushed the importance of honesty, integrity, trust, respect, and responsibility. They taught their children the importance of topics to live by in love, with friends, and maintaining one’s individuality so you know who you are.

I have made mistakes on my life journey. But my parents taught me to learn from my mistakes, so I don’t get to repeat them, and I hope to never settle for less! I have learned that you cannot teach another how to love and express emotions if someone did not learn it early enough to model the behavior into adulthood! This is key advice to remember in love and relationships.

My parents taught me early to model the correct behavior to reach beyond fear and be willing to explore new aspects of life’s journey. Knowing how to love others was important. I grew up in the South, where racism was real. There was a white side and a colored side of town, even for doctors’ and dentists’ office visits. My four siblings and I were bussed to a White school in eighth grade. Every day, the N word was used toward African Americans attending that school. It was hurtful. White students walked on one side of the hall, and we—the African Americans—walked on the other side. Our parents taught us to love everyone, regardless of color or nationality. My parents taught their children not to be prejudiced or judgmental toward others. Rather, we were taught to see the character of others, not their color.

My parents stressed education in our family as a pivotal factor. They knew that education would be vital in shaping their children’s futures and career aspirations for success despite racism. I learned to be an overachiever; it became a core point for success. My mother and father were visionaries in thinking the world would constantly be changing, and it would require their children to be well versed in cultural differences and understand behavioral tolerances of others’ beliefs and perceptions. They pushed education to prepare us to deal with systemic problems like racism, economics, government, religion, hierarchy, and so on. So, they required their six children to attend colleges and universities to acquire the education and other necessary tools to prepare each of us for life’s journeys. In the learning process, they encouraged their children to feast on education but also to acquire some common sense!

My parents shaped my life, and I am eternally thankful that God blessed me with them. They prepared me for a life less traveled.

22618.png2.jpg

And a special dedication to my baby sister, Bessie Stephens Allen-Holmes, a beautiful, classy woman who loved white pearls, which accompanied her in most attire. She departed life in August 2016. Bessie Stephens Allen-Holmes was a devoted wife, mother of two, part-time fashionista, and an inspiring educator adored by all her students. She was of small stature, but on any given day, she could be stern and stand up to the biggest bully and say, Get to class, and even they would obey. Yes, her students all loved her.

During her twenty-three years in education, she was instrumental in establishing an excellent fashion and design program. In my opinion—along with those of other family members, friends, and her students—was the world’s best creative fashion designer. She could design, draw, sew, and create the best items, from draperies to clothes. Bessie was so extraordinarily talented! She acquired her unique sewing skills from our mother. Bessie started in her youth and could create the most unique designs from scratch. She developed seven beautiful and unique outfits, which are still waiting to hit the runway with the right company!

As the creative and artistic designer, she truly inspired me to nurture my creative poetic side. Bessie always had an eye for fashion, from design to modeling. Her genuine desire was to combine her love of fashion and education, for which she had the same passion. While her profession defined her as an educator, her commitment, perseverance, and willingness provided more than just education but fostered many young people’s dreams. She genuinely loved her many students, and her dreams still live on!

I was honored to serve as her caregiver when she asked me. She was amazing, and when she passed in 2016, numerous students wrote documentaries on how she saved and influenced their lives. She loved her students, made them all believe in themselves, and made lasting imprints not only on the lives of all her students but family, friends, educators, principals, administrators, faculty, and the custodial building staff. She will never be forgotten!

Preface

The purpose of this book is to share my thoughts through prose and poetry. Each chapter begins with an acute perception of the subject and then followed by relevant poetry.

My poetry shares wisdom about faith and the sovereignty of God. I share how my life has been rooted in this faith from childhood through my parents’ teachings.

I also share thoughts and images about people, places, events, and things. My book includes poems about love and marriage, family, faith, and learning. In the last chapter, Margaret’s Special Quotes of Wisdom, you’ll find gold coins to keep in your pocket.

I use poetry to express creativity on diverse topics. Some of my poetry is written from childhood memories as well as adult experiences. Others include distinct perspectives or points of view.

We have all had life experiences that have taught us many of life’s greatest lessons and changed how we view the world. My life experiences have taught me much about growing pains among family, life lessons in general, education, love, marriage, and even the mystery of losing loved ones in death. I have studied and experienced some major events that left imprints in my mind and changed the history of the world. I have traveled throughout most of the fifty states and some abroad. I have met many famous people, including celebrities who made a difference. Through all my life experiences, every step has, and continues to make me become a better version of myself and seek the best in life. My parents taught me to be kind to others. After all, their life experiences may be changed based on how you treat them.

Hopefully, my poetry can encourage the reader through the diverse topics presented in my book. Poetry motivates the communication process and helps us express our feelings and thoughts with greater ease. I think poetry can be a witnessing tool and a way to express one’s creativity. Poetry can be very inspirational because it may tell a story, convey ideas, and create drama and special effects. It can also express inner spiritual thoughts and feelings about topics that relax thinking and allow the mind and soul to communicate together.

All my poetry can be converted into music. I believe that poetry can be entertaining and relaxing. And it can seep into the heart and mind of one’s soul.

Some of my poetry reflects thoughts and imaginations about people, families, places, and things—even birthdays—that make people sing! Other poems may carry historical or cultural views and different perspectives. I write poetry from the heart, making it a motivational art form. Some of my poems are composed in ropey rhyme form because they wrap around when read and need to be read at a fast pace. I also composed some free verses that do not rhyme but still have a rhythmic beat to them.

I also share Margaret’s Special Quotes of Wisdom. You can memorize them to motivate and inspire the virtues of ethics, wisdom, common sense, and insight on your life journey!

Acknowledgments

I have many people to thank.

Deidre Johnson, my book cover designer, has a creative eye and was very instrumental in creating the design. Once I shared my ideas about what I wanted the cover to look like, she looked at several pictures and created a fabulous design. Special thanks to Amber Perry and Kimberly Perry, who served as book cover design reviewers. They shared color scheme details.

Thanks to Leon Hamilton, an artist who gifted me the artwork photo of Michael Jackson that is used in the poem, Michael Jackson, a Musical Iconic Dancer, for Strumming Poetic Melodies.

Special acknowledgment to Lynda Jones-Burns, a popular fiction author, who encouraged me to challenge my literary style and connect more directly and personally with my readers. She was accommodating in advising me about book formatting as well.

I want to acknowledge my dear belated coworker and friend Joyce Mita, who succumbed to breast cancer in 1999. Joyce exemplified and defined true friendship in her life journey. Through her nomination, I became a finalist as a federal employee of the year while I served as a regional contracting officer and federal women’s program manager in San Francisco, California, in the 1980s. I received letters of commendation from President Ronald Reagan; Alan Cranston, senator from California; and Jackie Spier, US Representative for California’s fourteenth district. I was honored to compete in this prestigious program.

Special acknowledgment to Louisa S. Robinson, who was the head librarian at Claflin University, Orangeburg, South Carolina, for several years. She was a visionary and always eager to help young scholars. She was very resourceful with her knowledge of books.

I dedicate this book also to V. Deas Robinson, and Soror (Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority). She was the longtime director of counseling and placement at Claflin University. She was a brilliant visionary and dedicated to helping students focus and prepare for careers before graduation and job placement. She was instrumental in directing my job career path when I graduated from the university.

I am grateful to my siblings, all college graduates—sisters Frances Edmonds, Bonnie Stephens-Murray, and the late Bessie Stephens Allen-Holmes, and brothers Allen Jerome Stephens, and Terry Stephens. I love them so much! They all encouraged me to write my first book using my creative talents. My brother Terry also inspired me after he wrote his first book. Coming from a family of educators, the goal was to reach and motivate others to learn.

I thank all my caring, patient, and supportive family members and friends. All I can say is that you are all wonderful, and I am grateful for your support.

I also dedicate this book to the late Nathan E. Carter of Aquatic Connection. A retired US Army Ranger, he taught scuba diving, made numerous excursions to include Belize, and made it his mission to get more young African Americans into the sport of scuba diving.

I dedicate this book to my late cousin Richard Allen, who was instrumental in building homes in the District of Columbia. He often shared stories about our family tree. One story under the Stephens’ lineage line was that our family was connected to the Sequoia Nation Indian tribe, a peaceful people who were instrumental in farming. I only wish I had learned more before my dear cousin passed.

I also dedicate this book to Juanita J. Hill and the Coburn-Cobin family tree. I am a descendant of the late Martha Coburn family; she was my great-grandmother on the Coburn side of the family.

I dedicate this book to all my cousins and my BFFs. I love you all!

I also acknowledge some of the women who have passed on to glory but left a legacy in the community where I grew up. They were prayer warriors who truly honored God and were strong women of virtue. They include my mother, Dorothy Mae Luvenia Stephens. Also: Luvenia Williams (centenarian), Victoria Calloway, Margie Britt, Earline Bowman, Pearl Bowman, Elizabeth Riley, Jannie Stephens, Annie Lee Windham, Celie Windham, Aunt Ginnie Lee Moultrie, Aunt Loretta Calloway,. Gentry Breaker, Aunt Mattie Lee Tucker, Aunt Evelyn Hudson, Emma Jane Hudson, Corine Hopkins, Aunt Pansey Cobbs, Mary Berry, and Vivian Green (Nana). They were prayer warriors, women of courage, and possessors of great inner strength. Several stood for cause and against injustices. They were virtuous women of God. I had opportunities to author poems about several of them. Many lived three scores and ten, and one, Luvenia Williams, lived a hundred years. The Bible teaches in Psalm 90:10 (ESV), The years of our life are seventy, or even my reason of strength eighty; yet their span is but toil and trouble; they are soon gone, and we fly away. And in Genesis 6:3 (KJV), the Lord said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh, yet his days shall be a hundred and twenty years.

Special acknowledgments are made in memory of educators in the community where I grew up. They include Kay Frances McMillan, Etta Bell Valentine, and Cornelius Swygert. These educators created a positive atmosphere for students to grow and encouraged student learning in school. They made sure you studied and learned. If not, your parents would certainly know about it.

A special acknowledgment to Edith Hodges Brice, an entrepreneur. She and her late husband, Virgil Brice, owned Brice’s Pool, the first public swimming pool in the community. She encouraged the children in the community to learn how to swim. Growing up, this taught us a lot about fear and letting go. It is only by letting go and trusting that the water will hold you up so that you can learn to swim.

Special acknowledgments in memory of my late aunts, Ruth Joyner, and Samella Odom.

I also thank my many cousins, friends, and relatives. I have written poetry on various occasions (including birthdays, anniversaries, obituaries, weddings, graduations, graduations, and awards), and they all have encouraged me to author this book. All their efforts motivated me to complete this book, and I could not have done it without my many fans and supporters. I give thanks to God most of all for blessing me with the ability to write, compose and create thoughts!

I look forward to discussing my book at gatherings, high school graduations, celebrations, and historical and world events, and seeing songs produced from the poetry I have composed.

Sorority acknowledgments to my sorors of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority and the Divine 9! Sororities and fraternities have been at the forefront of Black achievement for centuries.

I hope this book will inspire women who protect themselves from the pain of too much tenderness and enlighten men who walk around with Atlas on their shoulders but are too afraid to embrace the emotional side of being human. I anticipate sharing my poetry with students to inspire and motivate them on an educational level about life! Most of all, I plan to compose many more books that inspire others to dream big and to take leaps of faith to achieve their God-given talents and purpose-driven lives.

Strumming

POETIC MELODIES

Ropey Rhythm

Lyrical melodies, music of tranquility, music feeds my mind, rocks my soul, bringing thoughts of hopes and dreams, mesmerizing tones of songs divine!

Picking on the ole guitar, one of a kind, seeking just to play a tune and see how my life unfolds; classical, gospel, hip-hop, pop, jazz, rhythm and blues, this music and poetry, time for ease, and life energy to please; everything comes with a price, as deeds soon become the greatest sacrifice, strumming poetic melodies in time, hopefully, to rhyme sometimes!

Time is a gift for you to borrow, some with peace and joy, and some with sorrow: Yet once gone, you can’t get it back; but when I listen to my music, it eliminates rented and borrowed time, it just gives me a feeling of peace, as my mind releases melodies of soothing sounds to unwind and dance, kicking it up a notch, depending on the mood, playing all kinds of music, soul, rhythm, and blues, hip-hop, classical, Beethoven, and Bach, sends me thoughts of relaxing melodies in the Florida Keys, just strumming poetic songs in time as I unwind!

Listening to some jazz, sipping on some aged old wine, just strumming my ole guitar, making me feel simply fine, empty thoughts to cross the time; walking on the chalked-up line, strumming poetic melodies and strings in time, crown them royally, or champagned toast, who cares about the boast!

Singing about the blues, reminiscing past reflections, curtains down, letting go of the many faults, and deceptions, to keep the past from turning you into a pillar of salt, seek the Creator, not the cult.

Some are still daydreaming about the good ole days, when folks married for love; when makeup, foundation, and commitment were household words. Leaving the family was simply absurd; strumming poetic melodies in time, what happened? It just blew my mind!

Songs of the gospel and steal-away music gave comfort and hope. Now the world’s gone mad with guns, drugs and dope, yet we still must pray and learn to cope; don’t get caught up in the TV soaps, strumming poetic melodies in time, oh, how we search for alibis in those thoughts, deception and sometimes lies.

Shifting roles back to reality, phase by phase, music can take you to many places with its many faces; you can fake it, just play that music, and you can make it!

So, I softly strum my guitar with songs about love, life, people, places, and things so you can see that we were born with royalty; feel the beauty inside of you, just strumming poetic melodies in time to drop a dime!

Find your place as kings and queens; God made us with purpose as human beings!

Make relationships a beautiful thing, not a concussion of heartache and pain, for falling in love, may still have some pain, yet love is not insane.

Let love in through that thick, foggy windowpane; keep love in the freedom lane!

Love can be fleeting strokes. Don’t smother me or choke me; water me, let me grow, yet keep it slow for love is more than sex, peace, and pleasure; you cannot direct it; it’s propelled by the heart of God and not man or woman who run from the pain of too much tenderness they never knew how to model it, so they can demonstrate with ease and no hate.

Tell me your story with romantic noted chords of such integrity, just blow by blow, make it so!

I just wanna be free to express my music and relax my mind; just strumming poetic melodies in and out of time, romance the stone, and keep it accurate and long while I listen to my song.

Feed me, nourish me; while in my lane, please handle me with care as sugar cane, cherish my friendship, it’s priceless inside, feel my words as I confide and play my guitar; let me reminisce because I am gonna strum my guitar till your head and heart dance with rhythm as I set strumming poetic melodies in time so that I can sing!

1

Faith and God

Faith is the substance of things hoped for, and the evidence of things not seen.

—Hebrews 11:11 KJV

Faith is a gift that you cannot see; you must believe it! Imagine inhaling the smell of fresh lemon or lime, a eucalyptus plant, or the aroma of rosemary and lavender that leaves a light and fresh floral scent circling your nostrils. You smell it before you see its source.

When we exercise our faith in God, it allows us to trust someone of a higher being and believe in something that gives us a promised message that something is going to happen before it comes into existence. Yes, faith is the assurance that we will receive those things we hope and pray for even if we cannot see them!

Faith causes us to know something must exist in our hearts before we see it. When we think about religion, we know that creation had to be bigger than human beings. We cannot see God, and we were not there when the universe was created. Yet our faith teaches us that God exists because the universe exists, and God created it. If God had not made the universe or created Adam and Eve, we would not exist. We know because the universe would not exist; otherwise, we could not account for all the world’s wonders. Think for a moment about the creation of the world: nameless birds created that flew in the air, numerous fish that swarmed and resided in the ocean, or the innumerable brilliant stars that light the night sky. Other biblical wonders include the parting of the red sea (Exodus 14), the virgin birth of Jesus (Matthew 1:18 NKJV), the resurrection of the Lord Jesus (Corinthians 15:17 KJV), and, the sun standing still for Joshua (Joshua 10 NIV); the list is endless.

We must believe in someone or something to exist, achieve, and aspire to. However, we cannot see faith for it develops from our experiences through joy, long-suffering, pain, love, giving, peace, gentleness, goodness, meekness, and temperance. With faith, we must hear it in our beliefs before we see it. We must feel it, embrace it, love it, and believe it before it comes into existence.

We learn about faith through spending more time with God in prayer and by studying the Word of God. The Word of God is the Holy Bible, which helps us to develop our faith. This helps us grow in our relationship with God. Faith tests us through our experiences of everyday living. If you believe in something before seeing it, it can become a reality. Faith is the driving force that propels you to achieve your greatness or your failure. We must use our minds to exercise our faith through trust, obedience, and patience. We must exhibit confidence when we pray and ask God for something; we must believe that we will receive it. It may not come as we desire, yet we must be obedient and patiently wait for God to answer our prayers.

When we petition our requests to God, it is like sending them into the atmosphere and leaving them there. The same as laying our recommendations on the altar. It is important to cancel any negativity about our petitions in our minds and to trust God to answer our prayers. Your faith and trust in God will surely bring your desires to life! More important, believe that God knows best, His timing is not our timing when we pray. Never lose faith in God! Once you pray and petition God, wait on Him to answer your prayers. Isaiah 40:31 (KJV) states, But they that wait on the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run, and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.

I believe that as we travel on our journeys in life, there will be some high C notes and some low B flat keys. There may be seasons of joy, sadness, and happiness. And sometimes, we may even have to beat our drums. However, it is our trust, beliefs, and faith in God that will sustain us as we go through the sometimes, roaring and soft storms of life. As a result, our pitches, rhythms, speeds, altitudes, and attitudes may change the direction of our courses. When we exercise our faith, God can work miracles in our lives, serving as our protector and healer and providing for our every need.

We must have faith and trust to sharpen our beliefs. Looking at the different characters with imperfections in the Bible will teach us about faith and trust. Even the twelve disciples were so self-absorbed until they were inspired and empowered by God. This reminds me of biblical characters such as Noah, who built the ark when God warned him there would be a flood. He trusted God and was obedient, and as a result, he saved the lives of many animals and people. Noah was not perfect although he was obedient; he became intoxicated with alcohol (wine) after the flood. He wasn’t a perfect man, but can you imagine building an ark and securing two of each animal to house in an ark for forty days of flooding?

Look at David. He seduced and impregnated Uriah’s wife, Bathsheba. He repented seven days for his sin, seeking forgiveness. God also used David to defeat the seven-foot giant Goliath when there was a conflict with the Philistines. David used a sling and four stones. And remember, David had experience as he earlier defended the sheep he guarded using his sling and stones. He defeated the giant Goliath with a rock because his faith was in God, and he trusted God to give him victory.

Esther, a Jewish slave, was recognized for her beauty, strength, bravery, and dignity. She rescued her people from a murderous plot to kill them. She put her life on the line to save the Jews because she believed in God and placed her faith, trust, and dependency in Him.

Meshach, Shadrach, and Abednego were determined to worship the one true God. They trusted Him when King Nebuchadnezzar placed them in the fiery furnace. They emerged unharmed, with not even a hair on their heads singed or the smell of smoke on their clothing. And Daniel survived the lions’ den when King Darius placed him there because he refused to pray to anyone but God. God sent His angels to shut the mouths of the lions, and Daniel was not harmed.

Job, a wealthy man who loved God, had his faith tested when he lost everything he owned. He lost his animals, which he needed to provide for his family. He lost his children and his wife, and his skin was stricken with boils. His wife asked him to curse God and die. Indeed, Job was indeed sad, but he did not become bitter. Job knew that we bring nothing into this world and taketh nothing at death, so Job said, the Lord gave and the Lord taketh away, blessed be the name of the Lord. What a test of faith! The Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before. God restored his marriage, blessed him again with a family, and Job lived to a good old age.

These stories teach us that God uses the ordinary to do the extraordinary; historical biblical characters were not perfect, and nor are we. We all fall short of the grace of God, but through salvation, we are saved through God’s grace and mercy. We do not always understand why certain things happen to good people, yet we can be assured, that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:18, 28 NKJV). Thus, we can be assured that God does have a plan for each of our lives. Do not let suffering make you bitter. Let the story of Job encourage us for God said, "I shall restore to you the years that the locust has eaten, the